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Biker rally in the USA (symbolic image)
Photo: Mike Nelson/ dpa
At least three people have been killed and five others injured in a shootout during a motorcycle rally in the US state of New Mexico, according to local authorities. Those involved in the shooting in the small town of Red River have been arrested, Mayor Linda Calhoun told local media. She did not give the exact number of arrests.
According to the mayor, the shots were fired between rival gangs. Neither police officers and other emergency services nor innocent bystanders were hit by the bullets.
Night-time curfews
The exchange of fire occurred on Saturday during the annual motorcycle rally in Red River on the occasion of the US holiday Memorial Day. Around 20,000 motorcyclists took part this year. Eyewitnesses described chaos and reported fleeing people after the first shots were fired.
After the shooting, the mayor of the nearby city of Taos imposed a nightly curfew, local newspapers reported. He also temporarily banned the sale of alcohol.
rai/AFP